Do you believe in superstitions? Don’t have a clear answer? Answer these questions and you will get to know yourself. Do you think a black cat crossing your way is bad? Did you think twice before getting a flat on the 13th floor? What do you think about walking under ladders and breaking mirrors?

You must have got your answer by now. If your answer is yes then you are among 25% people in the nation. You must have come along a building that has no 13th floor or an elevator with no option to open on the 13th floor. It is preferred to label them 14, 14A 12B or M (the 13th letter of the alphabet) because of concerns about superstitious tenants.

Some airlines such as Air France and Lufthansa do not have a 13th row. Lufthansa also has no 17th row because in some countries such as Italy and Brazil the typical unlucky number is 17 and not 13.

People believe that there exists a supernatural force, such as fate and that there exists a relation between co-occurring, non- related events.

Even in sports, players often display superstitious behaviours. Basketball legend Michael Jordan concealed his lucky North Carolina shorts under his Chicago Bulls team kit. Similarly, the tennis legend Björn Bork, wore the same brand of shirt when preparing for Wimbledon. Rafael Nadal has an array of rituals that he performs each time he plays. These include the manner in which he places his water bottles and taking freezing cold showers. Nadal believes these rituals help him to find focus, flow and perform well.

But while this may well be true, research has shown that actions associated with superstitions can also become self-reinforcing in which the behaviour develops into a habit and failure to perform the ritual can actually result in anxiety.

The actual outcome of an event or situation depends on known factors rather than unknown supernatural forces.

Well, it can be seen that superstition provides reassurance to people and helps in reducing anxiety. They help in promoting a mental attitude but can also lead to irrational decisions.

Truth holds in the quote, 'the harder you work (practice) the luckier you get’. So the next time you break a mirror, see a black cat or encounter the number 13 – don't worry too much about 'bad luck', as its most likely just a trick of the mind.